12 March - Luke 22

Today we are reading Luke 22 in the Tattoo Church Reading Plan. Here are some things to think about:

1. This is a heavy chapter with a lot of stuff going on in the life of Jesus. First, one of his own disciples, Judas, goes to the religious leaders and agrees to betray Jesus for money.
2. Jesus shared a cup of wine and a loaf of bread with his disciples. He told them in the future to drink and eat these things together and think of him. 
3. Jesus told his best friend Simon (also called Peter) that he would betray him.
4. Next, Jesus is praying to God on the Mount of Olives. Luke records that Jesus’ sweat was like blood. You’re may be thinking you’ve never sweated blood and so this sounds suspect. However, there is a medical condition called Hematidrosis, where a person under extreme levels of stress (such as facing their own death) may actually sweat blood. On a side note this leaves their body in extreme pain, like the worst bruise ever but all over; just wearing clothing can be excruciatingly painful.
5. Judas betrayed Jesus. Then one of his disciples cut off the ear of the servant to the high priest. Jesus told them to stop and healed the guys ear; one of the guys coming to arrest him and have him killed! That’s crazy! Can you imagine what that guy must have thought . . . “um guys, maybe this Jesus cat isn’t so bad?!?” Wow, that’s some serious love Jesus showed this guy.
6. After Jesus was arrested his best friend, Peter, denied even knowing him three times. At the exact moment Peter denied him the third time Jesus looked right at him and made eye contact with him. 

Jesus told Peter (Simon) that he knew he would betray him but then Jesus said something peculiar; “when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Even in knowing Peter would give the greatest betrayal Jesus had already forgiven Peter and told him to lead his friends when he turned back to God. It’s amazing that Jesus not only forgave Peter but later made him the leader of all the followers of Jesus and of telling everyone about the love of God. Peter was an unlikely candidate for what Jesus gave him but Jesus always used the unlikely people to become the hero. Maybe you feel like an unlikely person to become God’s hero but that is exactly what God calls us to. 

Do you connect with how Peter must have felt after denying Jesus? Have you accepted Jesus’ forgiveness? Are you living out the hero God put inside of you to live? Go out this week and do intentional small acts of love for people you meet and show God’s love.